On 18 January 2023, ASEAN Committee in Rome (ACR) under the Chairmanship of Viet Nam organized a working luncheon with H.E. Ms. Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary (responsible for Asia region), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy to discuss and strengthen ASEAN – Italy cooperation under the context of ASEAN – Italy Development Partnership. Also present at the working luncheon were H.E. Mrs. Alessandra Schiavo, Deputy Director General for Global Affairs/ Principal Director for Asia and the Pacific and Mr. Giovanni Davoli, Undersecretary Tripodi’s Chief of Staff.

ACR proposed the meeting with H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, the working visit by ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General to Italy, and the promotion of a direct flight from ASEAN countries to Italy to promote tourism and business travels.

On this occasion, H.E. Ms. Rommanee Kananurak, Ambassador of Thailand to Italy informed Undersecretary Tripodi of ACR activities organized by Thailand as the Chair of ACR for the period of June – December 2022 such as the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of ASEAN, the visit to the Operation Centre of the Italian Coast Guard, the study visit to Bologna University, and the briefing on economic potentials of Puglia region as well as important economic activities, to be held in 2023, such as the 7^th edition of the High Level Dialogue on ASEAN – Italy Economic Relations in Thailand and TO-ASEAN Business Days 2023 in Turin.